Question about Provisional License

Do you NEED to take driving lessons if you get a provisional license before you can test for a regular license?  I'm just going to go for an automatic license and have already been driving in the UK off my US license with no issue so don't really feel the need to waste time/money if I don't need to... I've got the AA written test app for my iPhone though 

You dont have to do anything with the Provisional License if you dont want to.  
As long as you can pass the theory and practical tests without any lessons, thats fine.

You'll probably be wise to feel things out with friends or family who have passed the practical tests here though, because there are certain things you have to pass on the practical that you never had to do in the US--backing up certain distances around a corner, certain parking things, not crossing your hands over, etc  that an instructor can really help with.

I had driven in the UK too, and felt very comfortable on the roads when I was driving, but I wouldn't have passed the test without the things that I learned from my instructor.  I got a good one who didn't make me take tons of lessons as if I were new, but just helped me sort out the things that were different.

Good luck!  I'm pretty sure there are some here who do it without instructors, but I think it's worth the expense since the practical is way harder here.  Oh, one last thing.  If you don't use an instructor's car, you'll need to check on things you need like an extra mirror, L plates, etc.  You do have to add a few things to your car, in case you didn't know.

As Cadenza says, it's not so much being able to drive as it is being able to drive the way they want you to drive to pass the test.  To me, it'd be worth taking one lesson to get an instructor's feedback about how your driving technique would look to an evaluator.

Thanks for the tips guys, maybe taking one lesson wouldn't be such a bad idea if I can find one who can just fill me in on the differences... definitely not knocking anyone who feels like they need them, I've noticed they do drive their own unique way here!

Thanks for the tips guys, maybe taking one lesson wouldn't be such a bad idea if I can find one who can just fill me in on the differences... definitely not knocking anyone who feels like they need them, I've noticed they do drive their own unique way here!

I would recommend taking a lesson or two, even if you feel that you are a good driver in the UK and know what you're doing The UK driving test can be very difficult to pass and not many people manage to pass it on their first attempt... there is an average pass rate of 45% across the UK and only 33% in London!

I learned to drive in the UK at 17 and it took me 15 months of weekly lessons and 3 tests to pass (I failed two tests, for various reasons: for not stopping properly at a stop sign (second test), for driving too slow on more than 3 occasions (first test), for hitting the curb on a parallel park (first test) and for not turning right at traffic lights correctly (failed for this on both tests... same set of traffic lights!). Of my two younger brothers, one also failed the test twice, but the youngest passed first time .

I did my provisional license documentation online, too. DH paid the fees with his credit card, and I sent them my FLR visa, and our marriage certificate since my FLR visa was in my maiden name. I thought it would be easier than sending my US passport, and since it's UK issued, I figured it would be a better form of I.D. I sent everything in a royal mail return delivery envelope so that my documents would be sent back faster, but, for some reason, they used their own DVLA envelope. We were a bit freaked out, since my provisional license came before my documents came back, but, everything was ok in the end. I'm probably going to do my lessons in May, as we've both been skint through out April.

so just to make sure, a provisional licence is good for 10 years? i'm still not entirely sure i want to drive here, as i've gotten on quite well without a car, but still feel like i may need a licence just in case. i would probably need to take lessons at some point, as i have no idea how to drive manual, and i may pick up some beater car at some point just for short trips or a vespa.

Yes, they are good for 10 years.   But you wont be able to drive by yourself with just a provisional license - you will need to pass the theory test and practical test to drive alone (after you have been in the UK for 1 year)

so just to make sure, a provisional licence is good for 10 years? i'm still not entirely sure i want to drive here, as i've gotten on quite well without a car, but still feel like i may need a licence just in case. i would probably need to take lessons at some point, as i have no idea how to drive manual, and i may pick up some beater car at some point just for short trips or a vespa.

If you have a US licence and have been in the UK for less than a year, you can drive legally with your US licence. However, as soon as you have been here for 12 months, your US licence will no longer be valid to drive on in the UK.

If you wish to drive in the UK after the year is up (or you don't have a US licence), and you haven't passed the driving tests yet (i.e. you only have a provisional licence), you will be treated as a learner driver and will only be able to drive if you are accompanied by someone who is over 21 and has held a UK licence for at least 3 years. Also as a 'learner' driver, you will not be allowed to drive on motorways and you must display red 'L' plates at all times while driving.

that's cool, my year isn't up until january, but i may as well get a provisional in case i decide to take lessons between now and the next 10 years. obvs ill have to get a proper licence if i get a car. does a provisional cover things like vespas too? well, i mean you wouldn't be able to drive with someone else in that case, but i mean as a step towards a proper licence or is there a separate motorcycle provisional licence?

also, i thought i read something about having some restrictions for a few years after you pass all of your tests? or is that just for folks under 21?

that's cool, my year isn't up until january, but i may as well get a provisional in case i decide to take lessons between now and the next 10 years. obvs ill have to get a proper licence if i get a car. does a provisional cover things like vespas too? well, i mean you wouldn't be able to drive with someone else in that case, but i mean as a step towards a proper licence or is there a separate motorcycle provisional licence?

also, i thought i read something about having some restrictions for a few years after you pass all of your tests? or is that just for folks under 21?

A provisional car licence covers you to ride a moped or motorcycle under 125 cc as a learner (L plates, can't carry a passenger, no motorways) but only becomes valid for two wheeled vehicles after you have passed the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) test. To ride a motorcycle 35 kW / 46 bhp or over you have to be over 21 & have passed the test on such a motorcycle

I keep trying to apply for a provisional license online at the Directgov site, but it keeps telling me I am not allowed to. Not sure what the problem is.

I was born in the UK, lived here until I was 23, moved to the US, lived there for 11 years, came back in September '09. Have been back, then, for 9 months. After it prompted me to enter all my addresses, it just gave me a page saying:

Sorry...

You are not eligible to apply for this service.

You can select a different service from the driver licensing online homepage.

Please use the link below to return to the motoring home page.

...Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

I guess it must be this one... (of the requirements for an online application)

    * can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

Possibly the non-UK addresses before Sept 2009 are not being accepted? Maybe you could call them, but I expect you'll end up having to do it by mail.

Yeah, I sort of figured that might be it. Sigh...